Another Swine Flu Outbreak?

Even the vaccine isn't protecting our kids against this one

Just about two years ago, we were all living in fear of the “swine flu” (technically called H1N1, but who really called it that). We were terrified of our kids contracting it. Things looked even more bleak for pregnant women, who were dying from the condition. Panic was in full force.

By the fall of 2010, swine flu was pretty much a non-issue. Everyone had either gotten it already or was being vaccinated against it. Yes, we all thought the swine flu was a thing of the past.

Fast forward to September, 2011. The news breaks that two children (one boy and one girl) have been diagnosed with what they’re calling a “swine flu-related infection.” Even worse, both of these children had received a vaccine last year to protect them against swine flu. But, apparently, that vaccine doesn’t protect against this new strain.

Should we all go into panic mode again?

Of course not … at least not yet. Here are a few reasons why you should refrain from locking your kids up in the house and throwing away the key:

1. Several cases of this type of illness are usually seen each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), they typically see a few cases a year of H3N2. The only difference is that this new one seems to have picked up a gene from H1N1.

2. Both of these children survived. Thankfully, while the two children in question (both under the age of five) were hospitalized, they have both since been released and are doing well. The boy had prior multiple chronic health conditions, too, which probably exacerbated the situation.

3. There’s no evidence (yet) of human-to-human transmission. Both of these children are thought to have contracted the illness from animals — not humans. The girl is believed to have contracted it at an agricultural fair (eew… I knew I hated those). So there’s no need to worry yet about sending your kids to school. That’s unless they have pigs in the classroom.